Mental Wellness is IMPORTANT

Growing up I’ve always been afraid of “Mental Health”. The word and idea that you have these issues make many people feel their “crazy”. Me included! Last week a friend was telling me about a relative who was advised to seek mental health help and it made me anxious just thinking the type of “stigma” the person may be dealing with by being told to seek mental help!

When I got back to my desk at work I began to pray about my reason for being anxious about mental health and here is what God said to me…..

“Mental health isn’t something to be afraid of. It’s something you need to be intentional about. The enemy defeats so many people in their minds, which is how he defeats them in life.”

And just like that God helped me to see it from a different perspective.

The truth is anxiety, stress, depression and OCD’S are all forms of mental health issues. They are also common issues that many people deal with. Most people are too embarrassed to admit that they struggle so they walk around untreated and get progressively worse.

Here are some simple and practical tips to cultivating healthy mental wellness

1. Pray about your concerns/ worries/ anxieties

Praying about your issues may sound cliche and ineffective to some but I tell you from experience PRAYER WORKS!! When I struggled with anxiety, depression, anger and fear it is prayer that gave me the strength I needed to push through.

2. Make a decision to not LET your emotions control your behaviors

We feel things all the time but acting on those feelings (or not) is a choice that we make. Keep in mind that just because you “FEEL” something doesn’t make it a good thing to do. Also, feelings lie! We can’t get so caught up in our emotions that we allow them to supersede our intelligence. Weigh your options, rationalize your thoughts/feelings with someone you trust before making decisions that can alter your life.

3. Meditate

More quiet time will allow you an opportunity to hear from God. When were dealing with busyness, racing thoughts etc. we can’t hear because He can’t get in!! Get away and spend some time getting quiet (on the inside) so that you can hear and release some of your tension.

4. Learn to enjoy life, family and friends

I know this may “SEEM” like the hardest thing to do when you’re struggling but it’s possible! Here are some things I had to do and am still learning to do so that I can enjoy my life:

Get out the house and around friends

Laugh more/ Smile more

Don’t ALWAYS work so hard

Be OK with doing nothing

Have a daily date with yourself

It’s important that we take time for foster healthy mental wellness habits to ensure we are VICTORIOUS.

Do you have any healthy habits to add? I’d love to hear them! Leave them in the comments below.